DBG Thanks Community - Food Donations for Food Bank of Delaware

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Garden expressed thanks to the 400 garden guests, who over the recent Earth Day and Mother’s Day celebrations donated 1,680 pounds or over three-fourths of a ton of food for Food Bank of Delaware. Sander said, “I just want to say how pleased we were to be a part of this community spirit of giving.”

On Earth Day and Mother’s Day the guests at DBG were given “free” admission if they donated food for the Food Bank of Delaware.    

Sheryl Swed, Executive Director said, “We were gratified by the generosity of our guests who gave food for the families in need during this very difficult time.  We also want to thank all our staff and volunteers who made these giving events happen.”

The DBG is open to the public Thursdays – Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. DBG is abiding by State COVID-19 guidelines and reservations are needed. For reservations go to delawaregardens.org/hours-admission. Face masks are required when less than 3-feet social distance from anyone else.

The Delaware Botanic Gardens is located at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro, DE 19939. Memberships are available by going to delawaregardens.org/membership.

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create a world-class, inspirational, educational, and sustainable public botanic garden in southern Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

DBG Earth Day Results - 570 Pounds of Food for Food Bank of Delaware

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) said, “We want to express our sincere thanks to the 135 generous donors who brought food donations to the gardens’ Earth Day Celebration on April 22nd. This is another example of our Delmarva community stepping up to help our neighbors in need in very difficult time.”

This Earth Day food partnership is also an example of one non-profit supporting another to better serve our greater community.

Shery Swed, DBG Executive Director said, “It was a cold and breezy Earth Day, but our spirits were warmed by the people who shared 570 pounds of food for their neighbors. Thank you.”

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create a world-class, inspirational, educational, and sustainable public botanic garden in southern Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

DBG Receives New Plant Label Donation

peter carter with plant label

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG), thanked Peter Carter of Lewes, Delaware, for his generous donation of 350 staked identification labels for plants and trees, which can now be seen throughout the Gardens. The labels provide both the Latin and common names of the plants and trees. Sander said, “Peter, as a member of the DBG Board of Directors, is well aware of our limited budget, so we are especially thankful for Peter’s generous donation.”

Carter said, “In a late fall visit to the gardens, I realized that very few of our visitors could identify the hundreds of species of plant life that abound in our acreage. Given DBG’s budget limitations, I decided to donate something special and meaningful for the enjoyment of the visitors to our gardens and invested $3,600 towards the purchase of classic 2” x 4” plant labels on 20" stakes.”

Executive Director Sheryl Swed said, “Peter, as a retired teacher and Superintendent of Schools, has been our Board’s educational outreach champion. He has engaged with both students and their teachers to ensure that DBG is a welcoming and educational place to enjoy nature. The latest example is Peter’s liaison with Sussex Technical High School’s carpentry instructor Edward Stough, who worked with his shop students to build a series of bird boxes for bluebirds, wrens and woodpeckers to be placed throughout the gardens. We thank Peter for his unique role both at DBG and within the local educational community.”

The Delaware Botanic Gardens opened to the public for the 2021 season on Thursday March 18. There are new features this year, including a new observation platform overlooking Pepper Creek and new trails.

Swed also said, “We welcome everybody, and I want to remind our guests that our goal is to keep the gardens a safe and healthy place to enjoy the beauty of nature. We will be following CDC and state COVID-19 guidelines and all staff, members and guests are required to wear face masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands.” The DBG is open Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made at the website www.delawaregardens.org/hours-admissions. For non-members, tickets are $12 for adults. Anyone under age 16 is admitted free of charge.

DBG Opens for Season, New Head of Horticulture

Stephen Pryce lea

The Delaware Botanic Gardens Board, staff and volunteers are pleased to invite our members and the public to the 2021 Season starting Thursday March 18 at 9:00 a.m.

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG), noted that “While the gardens have been closed during the Winter, progress has continued at DBG with the further development of exciting garden features, the completion of the Woodlands Garden circumferential pathway, and the finishing touches on the joint Center for the Inland Bays-DBG Living Shoreline project, including a new observation platform overlooking Pepper Creek. In addition, we invite our guests to meet DBG’s newest staff member, Stephen Pryce Lea, our new Head of Horticulture.”

Carol McCloud, DBG Vice President and Director of Volunteers, said “We conducted a nationwide search and were very fortunate to attract Stephen from his previous post as Director of Garden Operations at the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens, Philadelphia, PA. He holds a Bachelor of

Science degree in Horticulture from Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire, England.” McCloud added that “Stephen is a perfect match for our growing gardens and our volunteers, who all have a thirst for knowledge about native plants and best garden practices.”

Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director, said, “Stephen has an amazing love of plants and teaching. He has 30 years of experience in all facets of public and private garden operations and is a devoted garden educator and champion of life-long learning.”

Swed also noted “Like last year, our goal is to make the gardens a safe and healthy place to enjoy the beauty of nature. We will be following CDC and state COVID-19 guidelines, and all staff, members and guests will be required to wear face masks and practice social distancing and hand washing. Reservations will be required to ensure our guests can enjoy their time at the gardens without confronting crowding.”

The Gardens are open Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., beginning March 18. Admission is free for Delaware Botanic Garden members and for anyone under the age of 16. For those who are not members, the cost is $12 per person. Also, guided tours are available on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and cost $10. Admission and tour reservations are required and can be made online at www.delawaregardens.org/hours-and-admissions.

Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation Grant to DBG

rhyne garden

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Gardens, and Murray Sawyer on behalf of the Trustees of the Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation, announced the award of a $250,000 grant to Delaware Botanic Gardens. The grant will name the 1.5-acre Rhyne Garden the “Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation Rhyne Garden.” This garden celebrates over 12,000 native plants, 300 native shrubs and 34 ‘Brandywine’ red maple trees. The Rhyne Garden is located in the middle of the DBG parking lot. The Rhyne is a term used in England for a low-lying drainage area. The “Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation Rhyne Garden” has the environmental function of filtering water that flows off the parking lot. This is the newest DBG garden and was just completed this fall. Sander said, “I thank the Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation for their continuing support of the Delaware Botanic Gardens.”

Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director, said, “We thank the foundation trustees and have worked with the Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation for many years. They recognize the unique role this public garden plays in providing 37-acres of natural woodlands, gardens and 1,000 feet of shoreline at Pepper Creek. Our partnership with the Foundation is important in ensuring the protection and preservation of the Rhyne and entrance garden area. I take this opportunity to also thank our staff and volunteers who designed and planted the Rhyne.”

Murray Sawyer said, “Our Foundation is pleased to partner with the Delaware Botanic Gardens to ensure this important public garden continues to provide a natural and beautiful habitat in southern Delaware. In this difficult time, it is more important than before to preserve a natural place where people can enjoy the blessings and be inspired by the natural outdoor setting.”

William A. McAvoy Joins DBG Board

William A. McAvoy

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Gardens, announced that William A. McAvoy has joined the DBG Board of Directors. Sander noted, “We are honored that Bill has agreed to serve on our Board and that this public garden continues to attract people with his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.”

DBG Executive Director Sheryl Swed said, “Bill has been involved with DBG since 2014, when he participated in a key decision to revise our original site plan that led to our current, visitor-friendly site. Bill also inventoried the plants and trees in our 12-acre Woodland Gardens, helped site the placement of our Outdoor Living Classroom, and inspired the re-creation of the Inland Dunes. Now, as a DBG Board Member, he will help DBG protect and preserve this public garden and advise our staff and volunteers.”

McAvoy, a native Delawarean, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with an emphasis on Botany and Vegetation Management, from Delaware State University. Bill brings 30 years of experience studying the flora of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula, and he has been a leader in documenting the flora of Delaware with a focus on rare plant species. Through the years, he has written many professional articles on the plant life and habitats of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula. He is the primary author of, and responsible for annually revising, the web-based “Flora of Delaware Online Database.”

McAvoy said, “I am pleased to join the DBG Team. I walked this 37-acre site when it was more a field of dreams than a Garden reality. Actually, it was a field of weeds and a forest full of greenbrier! I am so impressed with how far the Gardens have progressed since that time. What makes Delaware Botanic Gardens so special are three things: the preservation and promotion of native plants, that it was built with a very small staff and an army of dedicated volunteers, and they had top professional garden designs by Piet Oudolf, the well-known Dutch plantsman. Delaware Botanic Gardens is a major treasure for Delaware and Sussex County.”

DBG Offering Special Days in October

View fullsize

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced that the Gardens will offer three new opportunities to our guests and members in October.

DBG is regularly open to the public Thursday through Sunday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Visitors must make a timed reservation for the day they are visiting.  Members register by going to delawaregardens.org/member-reservations and non-members register and purchase admission tickets by going here delawaregardens.org/tickets.  The admission is $12 for non-members and youth 16 and under are free.

Starting on October 1, DBG will again offer Guided Tours.  Tours are available Thursday through Sunday and cost $10 plus a $12 admission ticket for non-members.  Tours begin at 10:00 am and last approximately one hour.  Tours are limited to small groups of no more than 10 people.  Guided Tour tickets can be purchased by going to delawaregardens.org/guided-tours.

On Friday, October 23, DBG will open early at 7:30 am for birding and photography enthusiasts to catch the morning bird songs, the morning mist and golden sunrise lighting.

Finally, on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, DBG has scheduled two free Sussex Community Days for Sussex County residents.  Sander said, "DBG is our community garden and we want the public to enjoy the blessings of nature and relax outdoors.”  Due to DBG’s COVID-19 Visiting Guidelines, we are limiting entry each day to the first 200 guests making timed-reservations.  Reservations can be made by going to delawaregardens.org/tickets and selecting October 24 or 25 and the time of arrival.

Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director said, "Please remember that all staff and guests are required to wear face masks, practice social distancing and follow safety guidelines."  The restrooms are closed except for emergencies.  Swed said, "We welcome our guests and hope they enjoy the natural beauty of our gardens."

Delaware Botanic Gardens Opens to Public August 20, 2020

Ray Sander, President of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced that the Delaware Botanic Gardens will be opening to the public beginning Thursday August 20. A special rate of $12 per person is being offered to non-members through September with anyone under the age of 16 admitted free of charge.

The Gardens’ hours will be Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Timed-reservations are required and can be made on the Gardens’ website at www.delawaregardens.org/tickets. The reservations are by day and timed at every half hour. Tickets may be purchased online starting August 17.

Sander said, “Our staff and volunteers have been working hard to add new features this year, including the new Rhyne Garden and 1.5 miles of winding ADA compatible trails in the 12-acre Woodland Gardens. We welcome everyone.”

Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director said, “Our goal is to make the Gardens a safe and healthy place to enjoy the beauty of nature. We will be following all CDC and State COVID-19 guidelines. In the Gardens, all staff and guests are required to wear a face covering, practice social distancing and wash their hands.” A hand sanitizer station is at the entrance-exit point. The restrooms are closed except for emergencies. “We welcome our guests and hope they enjoy a peaceful visit to the Gardens.”

Delaware Botanic Gardens Virtual Tours Online

Sheryl Swed, Executive Director of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG), announced that virtual video tours are now available on the DBG website at www.delawaregardens.org/our-virtual-garden. Swed said, “While we are currently closed due to COVID-19, this is a way to bring our gardens’ spring beauty to your home virtually. The videos showcase our plant collections and feature our natural landscape. We hope our viewers can enjoy a brief garden respite in these challenging times.”

DBG will continue to share the gardens virtually with images and videos on social media and on the website. Brian Trader, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Horticulture said, “We hope our virtual tours help connect our members, volunteers and community with our garden. We have captured features of both our Folly Garden and Woodland Gardens to inspire viewers through our beauty and nature. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the gardens in the future.”

DBG Shares Spring Cheer

Brian Trader, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Horticulture donating Narcissus to the Milford Center Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility.

Spring has arrived in Delmarva! With the current medical emergency affecting our society, few people are able to enjoy this special season. Sheryl Swed, Executive Director of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG), said, “While we can’t currently welcome guests to our garden, we are finding ways to bring our gardens to the community”.

On March 24, 2020, DBG donated over a hundred pots of flowering Narcissus bulbs to the Milford Center Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. The staff of the Milford Center expressed that the donation couldn’t have come at a better time. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents of the center are not allowed to have visitors and their daily routines have been impacted. In a hope to lift spirits and celebrate spring, DBG was honored to give back to the residents of the center.

In the weeks ahead, DBG will be sharing their garden virtually with images and videos on social media and their website. Brian Trader, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Horticulture said, “We want our members and community to feel connected with the garden, our beauty and our nature”. Garden images, events and announcements can be found on the website: www.delawaregardens.org.